Skilled Trades Blog

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

We've talked a lot about the myths about skilled trades careers and about how undervalued the trades truly are. For too long, the trades have been considered careers for those who weren't "book smart," but the truth is, skilled trades jobs in Ontario are getting much more technical and require a specialized and valuable training and knowledge to be successful.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

If you are thinking of pursuing skilled trades jobs in Ontario, it's important you understand everything that is required to become licensed in that particular trade. Each province in Canada has its own licensing requirements for specific skilled trades and its own governing authorities that oversee and enforce these requirements. In Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority is governing body when it comes to skilled trades licensing.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Once you successfully complete your gas technician training and certification, your career  options are practically limitless. Your Gas Technician license opens doors to skilled trades career  opportunities that you may not have even considered before. In our Career Close-Up series, we'll  explore the industry jobs you can choose from to help you prepare for the career you want!

Air Conditioning Repair Tech

Once you have you gas technician license, it is natural to move into the HVAC industry, which means learning the ropes as an air conditioning repair technician. Sometimes called HVACR techs, they are responsibile for installing, maintaining and repairing ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. These people work in industrial, residential and commercial spaces.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

The difference between a job and a career may be hard to define. Usually, a job is a means to an end, something you are doing for now, but is not your passion or something you see yourself doing for the entirety of your working life. A career is something you build over timed by getting the right education and experience. When you pursue a career in the skilled trades, that is exactly what you are doing — combining hands-on technical training with an ongoing learning experience in the industry to build a skill set that to grow a career.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

When you are considering going back to school part-time to get your gas technician license (or any other skilled trade certification, for that matter), you are probably already juggling many other responsibilities — a family, a job, a home. You're busy, and becoming a part-time student will just add to your already full schedule. It will take some planning and creativity when it comes to time management, but here are some ways to schedule it all in.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Whether you are trying to decide to go back to school or continue your education after secondary school, you are looking at a major investment. But look at it this way, an education in the skilled trades is an investment that will pay for itself pretty quickly. You will be building your skill set, expanding your employment opportunities in the skilled trades and even have the ability to increase your income. By choosing part-time skilled trades school in Ontario, you can get the best of both worlds — you are able to continue earning a pay cheque while bettering your career opportunities.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

If you have decided to pursue a career in Ontario skilled trades, the first thing you need to do is find the right trade school and program to get you the necessary certifications and licensing. With so many options available for skilled trades education, how can you decide which is best for you? Here are some things to think about:

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

If you've already think a skilled trades job might be for you, it's important to know where to begin. There is no point in pursuing a career that you have thought about without actually understand what the job or the training entails. You wouldn't want to invest the time and money into training only to find out this isn't the career choice you thought it would be. And so, we are launching a short series — a step-by-step guide, if you will — about how to kick start a career in the trades. 

Whether you are a soon-to-be high school graduate trying to figure out what to do with your life or someone who just wants to pursue something new, let this be your guide to starting your new career in the skilled trades.

Step 3: Find your niche

Once you have your license, you'll be amazed at how many career opportunities you suddenly have. In fact, when it comes to skilled trades jobs in Canada, there are so many, you might be a little overwhelmed. And if you have a certification in one area, like your gas technician license for example, you can choose to explore different trades from there.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Photo courtesy of BNN.ca

The statistics seem bleak — the unemployment rate among young people in Canada is nearly double the national numbers. But there are opportunities out there, you just have to look in the right place. That's why the chef executive officer of Linamar, a Canadian auto parts maker, is urging young people to consider a skilled trades career in Canada.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

If you've already think a skilled trades job might be for you, it's important to know where to begin. There is no point in pursuing a career that you have thought about without actually understand what the job or the training entails. You wouldn't want to invest the time and money into training only to find out this isn't the career choice you thought it would be. And so, we are launching a short series — a step-by-step guide, if you will — about how to kick start a career in the trades. 

Whether you are a soon-to-be high school graduate trying to figure out what to do with your life or someone who just wants to pursue something new, let this be your guide to starting your new career in the skilled trades.

Step 2: Get educated

Once you've decided that a hands-on career in the skilled trades is for you, finding out what certification you need is essential to your success. Get into research mode and start finding the trades schools that offer the education you need for the career you want.